The Profound Yogācāra Meaning of the Diamond Sutra (62)

Adorning the Pure Land, Ten

Original text: 佛告须菩提。于意云何。如来昔在然灯佛所。于法有所得不。不也。世尊。如来在然灯佛所。于法实无所得。须菩提。于意云何。菩萨庄严佛土不。不也。世尊。何以故。庄严佛土者。即非庄严。是名庄严。

是故须菩提。诸菩萨摩诃萨。应如是生清净心。不应住色生心。不应住声香味触法生心。应无所住而生其心。须菩提。譬如有人。身如须弥山王，于意云何。是身为大不。须菩提言。甚大。世尊。何以故。佛说非身。是名大身。

Explanation: The Buddha told Subhūti: What do you think? In the past, when the Tathāgata was with Dīpaṃkara Buddha, did he obtain any dharma? Did he attain any dharma? Subhūti said: No, World-Honored One. When the Tathāgata was with Dīpaṃkara Buddha, he truly obtained no dharma. The Buddha said: Subhūti, what do you think? Do bodhisattvas adorn the Buddha-land? Subhūti said: They do not adorn it, World-Honored One. Why? The act of adorning the Buddha-land is not adornment; it is merely adornment in name. The Buddha said: It is so, Subhūti. All bodhisattva-mahāsattvas should give rise to a pure mind in this way: they should not give rise to mind dwelling on form, nor give rise to mind dwelling on sound, smell, taste, touch, or dharmas. They should give rise to their mind without abiding anywhere. Subhūti, suppose there is a person whose body is as majestic as the king of Mount Sumeru. What do you think—is this body great? Subhūti said: Very great, World-Honored One. Why? The Buddha said it is not a true body; that is why it is called a great body.